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1953 Map of Blue Ridge Summit

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Blue Ridge Summit
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Mason and Dixon Line serves as a critical divider on this mid-century survey, separating Franklin and Adams Counties in Pennsylvania from Frederick and Washington Counties in Maryland. This high-elevation terrain is characterized by the Western Maryland railroad as it winds through the mountains, connecting settlements like Blue Ridge Summit and Charmian to the valley below. The presence of the Victor Cullen State Hospital near Sabillasville and the Fort Ritchie Mil Res highlight the area's significance for specialized institutions and military infrastructure during the postwar era.

Outdoor recreation and forestry are evident throughout the Catoctin Recreation Area, where multiple camps such as Camp 1 and Camp Airy are established. Water sources like Friends Creek and Owens Creek define the drainage patterns of the Catoctin Mountain range, while local community life is anchored by landmarks like Apples Ch near Thurmont and the Blue Ridge Lookout Tower. This landscape reflects a moment before significant modern suburban expansion, centered instead on mountain resort culture and small-scale agriculture.